Additional Name(s): Andrey Leonidovich Andreyev, Andreev Andrey, Андреев Андрей Леонидович
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Russia
Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Appeal: Rejected
Sentence: 4 Years, 6 Months' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: October/16/2019
Date of Sentencing: June/3/2021
Date of Release: February/22/2023
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Belief
Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism
Andrey Andreyev
Extra Bio Info:
Andrey Andreyev was imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.
On October 16, 2019, authorities in Kursk arrested Andreyev following raids on the homes of Jehovah's Witnesses.
On June 3, 2021, the Kursk Industrial District Court sentenced Andreyev to four years and six months in prison for “organizing the activities of a public or religious association or other organization in respect of which a court has adopted a final decision to liquidate or ban activities in connection with extremist activities” (Art. 282.2-1 RCC).
On January 20, 2022, the Kursk Regional Court upheld Andreyev's sentence.
On January 12, 2023, the First Cassation Court of General Jurisdiction in Saratov upheld Andreyev's sentence.
On February 22, 2023, Andreyev was released from prison.
Publicly Available Information:
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Photo attributed to Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
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"Andrey Andreyev" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
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"Case of Andreyev and Others in Kursk" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
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"A Kursk Appeals Court Upheld the Sentence of Five Believers, Including a Woman. Andrey Ryshkov has Served his Sentence and was Released" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
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"In Kursk, a Court Sentenced Five Believers. Four of Them, Including a Woman, Were Assigned From 2 to 4.5 Years in Prison" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
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"Mass Searches and Detentions of Witnesses in Kursk" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
Additional Name(s): Aleksander Parkov, Aleksandr Mikhailovich Parkov, Парков Александр Михайлович
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Russia
Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Appeal: Rejected
Sentence: 6 Years, 6 Months' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: May/22/2019
Date of Sentencing: July/29/2021
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Religious Activity Religious Belief
Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism
Aleksandr Parkov
Extra Bio Info:
Aleksandr Parkov is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.
On May 22, 2019, authorities in Rostov-on-Don arrested Parkov after raiding the homes of several Jehovah's Witnesses. He was charged with “organizing the activities of a public or religious association or other organization in respect of which a court has adopted a final decision to liquidate or ban activities in connection with extremist activities” (Art. 282.2-1 RCC).
On July 29, 2021, the Leninskiy District Court of Rostov-on-Don sentenced Parkov to six years and six months in prison.
On December 6, 2021, the Rostov Regional Court upheld Parkov's sentence.
Related Cases: Arsen Avanesov, Vilen Avanesov
Publicly Available Information:
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Photo attributed to Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
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"Aleksandr Parkov" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
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"Case of Avanesov and Others in Rostov-on-Don" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
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"Rostov Regional Court Approved Six to Six and Half Years in Prison for Three of Jehovah's Witnesses. They Have Already Served Half of Their Sentence in Pre-Trial Detention" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
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"In Rostov-on-Don, Three of Jehovah's Witnesses Receive From Six to Six and a Half Years in Prison for Talking About the Bible" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
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"Three Witnesses Went to Jail in Rostov-on-Don" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
Additional Name(s): Vilen Shagenovich Avanesov, Аванесов Вилен Шагенович
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Russia
Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness
Appeal: Rejected
Sentence: 6 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: May/22/2019
Date of Sentencing: July/29/2021
Date of Release: February/9/2024
Current Status: Released
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Religious Activity Religious Belief
Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Extremism
Vilen Avanesov
Extra Bio Info:
Vilen Avanesov was imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.
On May 22, 2019, authorities in Rostov-on-Don arrested Avanesov after raiding the homes of several Jehovah's Witnesses. He was charged with “organizing the activities of a public or religious association or other organization in respect of which a court has adopted a final decision to liquidate or ban activities in connection with extremist activities” (Art. 282.2-1 RCC).
On July 29, 2021, the Leninskiy District Court of Rostov-on-Don sentenced Avanesov to six years in prison.
On December 6, 2021, the Rostov Regional Court upheld Avanesov's sentence.
On February 9, 2024, Avanesov was released from prison after completing his sentence.
Related Cases: Arsen Avanesov, Aleksandr Parkov
Publicly Available Information:
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Photo attributed to Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
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"Vilen Avanesov" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
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"Case of Avanesov and Others in Rostov-on-Don" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
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"Vilen Avanesov, Convicted of Believing in Jehovah God, Was Released After Almost Five Years Behind Bars" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
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USCIRF Spotlight Podcast: Russia’s Persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses October 2022
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"Rostov Regional Court Approved Six to Six and Half Years in Prison for Three of Jehovah's Witnesses. They Have Already Served Half of Their Sentence in Pre-Trial Detention" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
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"In Rostov-on-Don, Three of Jehovah's Witnesses Receive From Six to Six and a Half Years in Prison for Talking About the Bible" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia
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"Three Witnesses Went to Jail in Rostov-on-Don" Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia